Agricultural extension process coordinator with the bureau, Abebe Diriba told ENA that the stated amount of crops were harvested from 6.9 million hectares of land.

The amount exceeded by 22 per cent that of the amount of crops harvested in the previous year.

Evenly distribution of rainfall, growth in the supply and utilization of inputs, cultivation of products, which have market demand, among others, contributed share to the increase in productivity.

Abebe said preparations are underway to increase the amount of productivity by 50 per cent in the state during the 2000/2001 E.C. harvest season.

Due attention would be given to enabling farmers make use of improved production systems, cultivate more than twice annually by utilizing water pumping machines with a view to achieving the goal to increase productivity. The government has been importing more than 100,000 water pumping machines.

Activities are underway to train 1,957 professionals and about 10,000 development agents to enable them become aware of professional support, which should be provided to farmers as part of the plan to increase productivity.

Relevant training would also be offered to more than 3.2 million farmers.

R--2:00-2:25pm

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